Fender Custom Shop ‘67 Stratocaster Olympic White 1990
Fender Custom Shop '67 Strat, naturally yellowed olympic white, made in USA 1990. This is definitely in the top two or three Strats we've ever had the pleasure of having through the store. Fender's Custom Shop only kicked off in 1987, so 1990 is very early in the piece. They weren't really doing relics and all that back then; the brief was more about making the finest instruments it was possible to create, as well as working with Fender's artists on various projects. The team was still very small, with the handful of builders on deck going on to be today's 'master builders', and the facility was still housed at Fender's original home in Fullerton until it was moved in 1998. This outstanding example references the 1967 iteration of the Strat: big headstock, gold 'transition' logo, maple cap fretboard, no skunk stripe, three ply guard. It's very vintage-correct, save for a modernised 9.5' radius fretboard. The neck has some sweet subtle birds eye grain, and with the significant yellowing and some honest play wear, it looks and feels superb. It's on the slim side, with a speed-friendly profile and feel without venturing into ESP/Ibanez territory. The body is super resonant and lively, and the heavily yellowed finish looks incredible. A proper aged nitro finish like this doesn't look like a relic, it has it's own majesty and depth to it. The original pickups are included, but it's currently loaded with some exceptional hand-wound pickups by Russian maestro Alexander Pribora. The set replicates and original set of 1969 Strat pickups with exacting detail, and the fidelity to original mid 60s examples in terms of sound and feel is extremely convincing. The sound is clear as day: every note springs forth with vigor and sweetness, chords brim with detail and the dynamic response is fast and super sensitive. It makes you pay attention, with the added clarity and shimmer arresting the mind to focus on getting the most from every note. For Jimi or SRV stuff, this is perfect, but it's one of those guitars that just always sounds so, so good. I'm not expecting this one to hang around, take it home before one of us decides it's got to 'stay in the family'.
Model: Fender Custom Shop ‘67 Stratocaster
Made: USA, Fullerton Custom Shop, 1990
Serial: V050715
Finish: olympic white, gloss nitro
Body: alder
Neck: maple, maple cap fretboard, 25.5" scale, 9.5" radius, slim C shape
Weight: 3.605kg
Mods: pickups replaced, tremolo springs replaced, new bone nut
Pickups: Alexander Pribora Voodoo handwound single coil x3
Accessories: original case, tremolo arm, original pickups, original trem springs, replacement back cover
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples on the end, bottom edge and on the front near the Fender logo, as well as a small chip in the clear near the high E tuner and some checking lines on the back. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, scuffs and minor dimples on the back and minor play wear on the board only. The back has scuffs and dimples along the belly carve, back edge and elbow area, discolouration on the horns and some dimples around the cavity. The sides have scuffs on the top horn, minor dents and scuffs in the elbow area, a surface scratch near the jack, dimples on the bottom horn and some fading around the neck pocket. The front has fading up from the neck join, dimples and scuffs along the back edge, elbow area and near the jack and some play wear on the guard and horns. Note that the finish has yellowed significantly all over, body and neck.
Overall: very good condition (7.5/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 8/10, minor wear only